University of Massachusets Athletics
Zullo Receives Jerry Nason Award
November 26, 2002 | Football
Nov. 26, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. - Senior wide receiver Adrian Zullo (Pompano Beach, Fla.), a member of the University of Massachusetts football team, has been selected as the 2002 recipient of the Jerry Nason Award, presented by the New England Football Writers. The Nason award is presented to the senior football player in New England who has persevered against all odds to succeed in football. Zullo will receive the award at the New England Football Writers Annual Captains and Awards Banquet, which will take place on Dec. 5, at Lantana Restaurant in Randolph, Mass.
Zullo returned to the gridiron this year, after missing the previous season and a half due to a knee injury suffered against Northeastern in 2000. Following two surgeries and vigorous rehabilitation, Zullo had an outstanding season for the Minutemen as a fifth-year senior. He led the team with 52 receptions on the year for 762 yards and nine touchdowns. With that performance, Zullo placed third on the UMass single season list for touchdown catches, seventh for receptions and eight for receiving yards.
Over the course of his career, Zullo caught 187 passes for 2,862 yards and 32 touchdowns, to set new UMass career records in all three categories. He helped lead the Minutemen to the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA national championship, in addition to the 1999 Atlantic 10 Conference crown. Over the last five seasons, UMass had a 31 13 record in games which Zullo played, while going only 8-10 in games he missed due to injury.
Zullo becomes the third player in UMass history to receive the Jerry Nason Award. Mike Fallon received the award in 1977, while Bob Ross was honored in 1982.
UMass finished the 2002 season with an overall record of 8-4, and placed third in the Atlantic 10 with a 6-3 record.
